It’s Basic Grammar – Let’s Get It Right!

The other day I opened an email newsletter only to be confronted with the opening line “Do you know where you’re business is going?”

My shoulders immediately tensed up. Did I want to continue reading this piece if the sender couldn’t even get the opening line grammatically correct?

Misspelling and bad grammar won’t exactly put your business in the best of lights, but surely it’s not too much to ask that we just try to get the basics right, is it? The common ones that never fail to make me cringe to the tips of my toes are:-

You’re or Your

Its or It’s

They’re, Their or There

Affect or Effect

Who’s or Whose

To, too or two

There’s also the spoken faux pas. How many times at networking meetings have you heard someone utter the line “What I am pacifically looking for is …..” No! The Pacific is a large and very deep expanse of water. Surely what you mean is “What I am specifically looking for is ……”

Maybe I’m just getting old and grouchy, but there’s really no excuse for basic errors in grammar. Please people, check that you’re using the right words before you hit send – whether it’s a text message, social media post, email or newsletter.

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Mat Nation, Personalised Nation

We had Cheryl for a one-to-one training session across all of our social media platforms. We found her extremely professional and the training was very informative. We learned a huge amount in such a small space of time. Will definitely be re-booking another session.

Mat NationPersonalised Nation

Julie Sargent, Balloons of Stafford

I attended some social media training delivered by Cheryl. It was extremely useful. I picked up a lot of new information in a relatively short space of time and came away with lots of ideas on how to use social media effectively for my business. Highly recommended.

Sabrina Lawrence, The Soap Deli

Sue Davies, Allowing Joy

Cheryl is an excellent trainer, she answered all my queries. I went in bewildered and came out with clarity and a plan.

Sue DaviesAllowing Joy

Imogen Allen, Umbrella Digital Media

I attended a Twitter course led by Cheryl. I already had experience of Twitter and found that Cheryl's insight and knowledge was fantastic. The course was delivered to a group of clients with a wide range of prior knowledge of the subject. Cheryl's delivery was meaningful and relevant to the different levels of prior knowledge and delivered with expertise and humour! I gained a valuable insight into Twitter and its use for my business. I wou...

Imogen AllenUmbrealla Digital Media

Gareth Robertson, Design Pit

I recently attended a Twitter workshop and found the morning session to be extremely useful. I already use Twitter and class myself as a basic/intermediate level user but during the workshop with Cheryl, I learned how to create public and private lists, set up Google Alerts to access content and how to schedule my tweets via Hootsuite. There was a lot more in the workshop too but those areas were the ones I needed covering so I left feeling ve...

Gareth RobertsonDesign Pit

Alison Taylor, Forever Living

I had a great 121 social media session with Cheryl. She is patient, professional and has a great sense of humour. Gave me the kick start I needed to boost my social media. Brilliant. Thank you Cheryl

Alison TaylorForever Living

Phil Hughes, BBC Radio 2 Children In Need

Cheryl has worn another hat for 6 years organising a team of 40 volunteers to help man a phone-in centre for BBC Radio 2's Children in Need appeal. The annual 12-hour stint has helped to raise over £2 million pounds for the charity and Cheryl's organising skills are second to none. Having to constantly adjust for drop-outs and last-minute sickness, she has always come up with keen volunteers and has marshalled them all to the right places at ...

Phil HughesBBC Radio 2, Children In Need

Jayne Smith – That’s Ideal

Cheryl is truly dedicated to her work and this is highly evident in the postings I regularly read. It is very refreshing to experience the passion and energy from such a wonderful lady with whom I am pleased to be acquainted on both business and personal levels. If you are serious about getting your social media to work for you, then Cheryl is your 'go to' girl.

Jayne SmithThat’s Ideal

Brian Milman-Hurst – Vox Digital

Cheryl is the person you need in your life if you are struggling with Social Media. Cheryl has helped me in the past with making sure my various Social Media accounts are focussed and I can say with authority that she knows her stuff. Would happily recommend Cheryl to anybody who needs help with Social Media training, managing their account or good honest consultancy

Brian Milman-Hurst Vox Digital

Rachel Robb – DStorm Marketing

Cheryl provided me with an excellent 121 social media training session, which was specifically tailored to the requirements of DStormMarketing and demonstrated her first-rate knowledge of the subject. I would recommend Cheryl to any business wishing to make their social media platforms really work for them.

Rachel RobbDStorm Marketing

Paul Woodcock – PJW Accounting

Cheryl has been doing for me what must be one of the dullest jobs she has on her books - managing the Social Media account for a Tax Professional. This requires her finding interesting content relevant to taxation and accounting that will encourage fellow tweeters to read and react to the content. An impossible job you might think. Well I'm glad to report that Cheryl has managed to find some great content, that has not only generated many ...

Paul WoodcockPJW Accounting

Anna Goodwin – Anna Goodwin Accountancy

Cheryl you're a star! So great to know that you're beavering away for me. Each time I give you some work it’s done promptly and efficiently. Basically by having Cheryl doing work for me it gives me peace of mind.

Anna GoodwinAnna Goodwin Accountancy

Andy Madeley – SwissPeaks

We like working with Cheryl! Always bubbly and always attentive, we have really appreciated her input whether from her work (data entry and administration of) a project we work on, on behalf of the ICAEW or from her work (and persistence) in maintaining our Twitter feeds and such like. We'd have no hesitation in recommending Cheryl for due diligence in all tasks she supports us with

Andy Madeley SwissPeaks

Mike Santopietro – Fifteen Digital Ltd

Bubbly yet professional and knowledgeable. Cheryl is focussed on doing the best she can in all her undertakings and I cannot do more than recommend her highly.

Mike Santopietro Fifteen Digital Ltd

Jill Anthony-Ackery – Midland Fertility Services

Cheryl was hired for a limited contract to handle some of the clinic's social media activity and within that time achieved the key objective that was set. I would recommend her to any small to medium-sized organisation that needs to kick-start its social media presence.

Jill Anthony-AckeryMidland Fertility Services

Anna Woolliscroft – Market Avenue Limited

Cheryl and I have exchanged services a number of times since 2011. She is extremely professional, highly personable and makes every effort to go beyond her work briefs. Cheryl has provided a virtual assistance service to Market Avenue and we have worked together on various social media projects. I couldn't recommend Cheryl enough and hope our working relationship continues long into the future!

Anna WoolliscroftMarket Avenue Limited

Fiona Tamplin – Business Improvement Specialist

I met Cheryl in 2011 and kept her in mind for when I'd need a VA in 2012 as I really liked her style and professionalism over and above other VA's I'd met. So far Cheryl has completed proofing for me with a really fast turnaround, professional approach and she's also just great generally in her approach and good value. Having Cheryl do this work for me is a weight off my shoulders and lets me get on with running my business. When the busines...

Fiona TamplinBusiness Improvement Specialist

Philip Oakley – Business For Breakfast UK

Cheryl has this year become the host of Business for Breakfast in Rugeley and already in this time she has made a massive impact on the group. Her organisation skills, passion and hard work ensures all guests have a great experience. Cheryl has also used her extensive social media skills to support the group and all group members. Cheryl is an invaluable member of our Business for Breakfast team and I would not hesitate to recommend her.